Italy introduces new decree to regulate migration

ATHENS

Italy announced a new decree on Thursday aimed at regulating migration, addressing both legal and irregular entries, local media reported.

Approved during a Cabinet meeting, the decree focuses on migrant labor needs, especially in the tourism and agricultural sectors, while also tackling broader migration issues, as reported by the public broadcaster Rainews.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani shared details of the decree, which allows the requirement for Italian diplomatic missions to notify applicants of visa rejections. It also introduces mandatory fingerprint registration for foreign nationals applying for an Italian visa and imposes tighter scrutiny on applicants from countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Additionally, the decree allows for 10,000 permits for caregivers, aligned with the needs of Italy's aging population, and provides migrants who lose their jobs in agriculture with a 60-day window to secure new employment.

It further requires migrant rescue vessels to immediately report incidents at sea to Italian authorities and grants officials the right to inspect the mobile phones of asylum seekers to verify their identity and nationality.